From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 574: Chapter 576: A Banquet for Guo Yurong

Guo Yurong hadn’t expected that even after so many years in the world of officialdom, Gu Wenheng and his wife would still treat a man from the martial world like him with such courtesy.

Gu Wenheng said, "Brother Guo, have you been in seclusion all these years?"

Guo Yurong said, "Your Excellency, you can just call me by my name. I am unworthy of being called ’Brother’."

Gu Wenheng replied heartily, "Let’s interact on a personal level here, without regard for our official statuses.

Surely Brother Guo wouldn’t treat people differently just because of a change in status?"

Guo Yurong was a straightforward man himself. Once he confirmed that Gu Wenheng was sincere about their friendship and wasn’t looking down on him, his smile grew more genuine.

"Of course not. To us physicians, everyone is the same.

It’s just that I’ve been living in the deep mountains for all these years. Suddenly returning to the secular world, I’m finding it a little hard to adjust."

Jin Qianqian asked with some curiosity, "You’ve been in the deep mountains this whole time?"

"Only in the deep mountains can one find certain fine medicinal herbs. As you know, Madam, I am a physician. Sometimes, to gather all the ingredients for a single prescription, one must inevitably put in more effort."

Jin Qianqian felt a sense of admiration. Facing the deep, old forests year after year was something an ordinary person could not do.

As for what kind of medicine he was concocting, she wouldn’t pry, no matter how curious she was. "Brother Guo, your timing is quite a coincidence. I imagine Young Master Ouyang’s injuries are not serious."

At this, Guo Yurong stood up and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle to Gu Wenheng. "That boy, Ouyang Bing, has caused trouble for you both."

It wasn’t really his place to apologize, but their families were old friends, and he was older than Ouyang Bing. It was best for him to express this apology.

Jin Qianqian knew what he was referring to. "It’s all in the past, and we didn’t suffer any losses."

"No. If you hadn’t helped him out, Madam, Ouyang Bing might be in an even more pathetic state right now."

Although Jin Qianqian disapproved of Ouyang Bing’s actions, she wasn’t willing to meddle in his affairs here.

"Speaking of which, you could say I’m the one who came out ahead. Look at this restaurant—it’s now a major enterprise under my name. I imagine Young Master Ouyang must be regretting it terribly right now."

As for regret, Ouyang Bing didn’t really feel any. He knew his own limitations. After so many years of painstaking effort, he had only managed to keep a few restaurants afloat.

He only felt a slight pang of regret that he hadn’t fought for a larger share of the profits. That way, he could have at least gotten a taste of the success.

He never imagined that in the short time since Jin Qianqian had taken over, she had already opened branches all over, and it was fast becoming the signature restaurant of the Rong Dynasty.

"That’s because that boy lacks ability. Only in your hands, Madam, could the restaurant have achieved its current success.

But he shouldn’t have pushed his luck, coming to trouble you time and again."

Guo Yurong knew it was best to lay everything out in the open today. Otherwise, if this continued, Ouyang Bing would truly and thoroughly offend the couple before him.

He couldn’t always be by the boy’s side. They might tolerate it once or twice, but if it went on, it would surely lead to enmity!

Although he was a man of the martial world, he didn’t want any entanglement with the government. For powerless people like them to live freely, they couldn’t afford to provoke people from official families.

Gu Wenheng looked at Guo Yurong. "Ouyang Bing is truly fortunate to have a sworn brother like you."

Guo Yurong gave a wry smile. "We grew up together. Though we’re not blood brothers, we share a brotherly bond.

He can be a bit of a schemer, but he doesn’t have a malicious heart.

I hope you can both find it in you to be patient with him."

Speaking of which, Guo Yurong took out two small porcelain vials from his robes. He first pushed a green vial forward. "I happened to refine a few Marrow-Cleansing and Body-Strengthening Pills recently. I hear you have two young sons in your household who are about to start their formal education. This medicine can help strengthen their bodies.

If they wish to practice martial arts, taking this medicine will allow them to achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Of course, the two of you can also take it, but the effects won’t be as pronounced as they are for children."

Then, he pushed forward a white vial. "Inside this one is a beauty-enhancing pill. My mother has tried it, and the effects seem to be quite good. This is a gift for you, Madam."

Gu Wenheng accepted both vials without ceremony. "Thank you very much, Brother Guo. These are exactly what we need, so I’ll be shameless and accept them."

Jin Qianqian caught her husband’s glance and pushed a pre-prepared wooden plaque in front of Guo Yurong. "This is a membership plaque for the Tianfu Restaurant. With this, Brother Guo, you can dine for free at any Tianfu Restaurant across the country."

This was something Jin Qianqian had specially commissioned just recently.

These plaques were made from black-gold wood, with illustrations and carvings she had meticulously designed herself. Each had a distinct, secret marking. There were only six in total, originally intended for close friends and family, but today she was using one to return a favor.

Guo Yurong picked up the plaque and put it away without hesitation. "I won’t be a stranger about this. You should know, I’ve been craving the dishes at Tianfu Restaurant this entire journey.

That boy Ouyang Bing actually did one good thing. With Tianfu Restaurant in your hands, Madam, I can enjoy more delicious food."

Jin Qianqian smiled. Guo Yurong was just as he’d always been—never one to be shy about good food.

"I hear you’re interested in going out to sea as well, Brother Guo." Now that the pleasantries were exchanged and both sides had achieved their initial goals, Jin Qianqian cut straight to the point.

"Little Bing knows I’ve always longed to go to sea, but I’ve been held back by circumstances until now.

I never expected that boy’s misfortune to turn into a blessing in disguise, getting to go out for a trip on your great ship.

When I read about his experiences in his letter, I rushed over here without a moment’s delay."

Guo Yurong was well aware that his medical skills were highly sought after anywhere. Going on a voyage with their ship would also fulfill a childhood dream of his.

In return, the crew on Jin Qianqian’s ship would gain the protection of a brilliant physician. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, which was the source of his confidence.

The moment Jin Qianqian heard this, she knew they were all people who understood how things worked. "In that case, we’ll have to trouble you to look after the crew on the voyage, Brother Guo. Please let me know what medicinal herbs you need, and I’ll have someone prepare them."

This was exactly what Guo Yurong intended. He knew that at sea, unlike on land, you couldn’t just gather materials as needed.

"Later on, I’ll give you a list, Madam. Once I know how many people are on your ship, I can adjust the quantities and prepare some extra supplies."

Jin Qianqian said, "That’s easily arranged. Knowing you were coming, Brother Guo, I already had my people contact several pharmacies and ask them to stock up on as many herbs as possible. Just tell us what you need."

With both sides having gotten what they wanted, the meal was a cheerful one for both host and guest.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Guo Yurong departed. Jin Qianqian sighed with emotion once more. "Ouyang Bing is really a lucky man. He has loyal servants and a good sworn brother like Guo Yurong to protect him."

Gu Wenheng chuckled softly. "That’s because you don’t know the miserable state he’s in now. A man must always take responsibility for his own mistakes."

Jin Qianqian really hadn’t inquired about Ouyang Bing’s current situation. "Hearing you say that, I’m actually a little curious. Just how miserable is he?"